In case you didn’t see it Sunday, Los Angeles Angels pitcher Matt Shoemaker was drilled in the head by a line drive ripped off the bat of Seattle Mariners 3B Kyle Seager in the 2nd inning of Sunday’s game.
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With one out in the second inning, Shoemaker was hit on the right side of the head on a sharp liner off the bat of Kyle Seager – a ball with an exit velocity of 105 miles per hour, according to MLB Statcast.
The injury occurred when a line drive hit off of Kyle Seager’s bat ricocheted off of Shoemaker’s head and fell to his knees during the second inning.
Shoemaker took a line drive off of his head during Sunday’s start and had to be rushed to the hospital.
Initial tests showed Shoemaker suffered a small skull fracture and a hematoma, and he would later see a neurologist for further examination.
Shoemaker was wheeled into surgery.
The Angels and Shoemaker’s doctors expect a full recovery for Shoemaker, though he nearly certainly will not pitch again this year.
Eppler told AP the surgery stopped the bleeding and Shoemaker is recovering.
Amazingly, Shoemaker didn’t lose consciousness after taking the hit.
The GM has been in touch with Shoemaker’s wife, Danielle, while Nevala spoke to Shoemaker on Monday. “I don’t think anyone wants to call him right now”, Angels manager Mike Scioscia said Monday. “Just to get him up and walking off the field let you feel a little bit better about what could have been happening”. They were able to seal it, stop the bleeding.
The Angels have an off day on Thursday, so the next day they would need a fifth starter is a week from Tuesday, at home against the Mariners. Grave as that procedure sounds, Angels GM Billy Eppler downplayed the severity, calling the procedure “fairly routine” and telling Fletcher that Shoemaker is resting comfortably. Now it’s just a recuperation process for Matty.
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On the more mundane topic of how the Angels will replace Shoemaker in the rotation for the rest of this season, Scioscia said they are still looking at various options. “Haven’t decided on what the final look will be, but Tim threw a really good game last night”.
